Thankfully, Newcastle United are now over their Wembley hoodoo.
Indeed, Newcastle United made history in March when they ended a 70-year wait for a major domestic honour by beating Liverpool to win the Carabao Cup.
Naturally, it sparked jubilant scenes of celebration as Eddie Howe wrote himself into the club’s folklore. Generations of hurt washed away as a Newcastle United manager lifted silverware of any description for the first time since 1969.
Dan Burn’s fine header in the Carabao Cup final was Newcastle’s first goal at Wembley since Rob Lee’s effort, which was a header against Chelsea in the 2000 FA Cup semi-final. Prior to that, Newcastle had reached two finals in that competition in consecutive seasons, without scoring a goal.
The 1999 FA Cup final saw Newcastle play what would be the treble-winning Manchester United team. Managed by Ruud Gullit at the time, the Magpies fell to a 2-0 defeat after goals from Teddy Sheringham and Paul Scholes either side of half-time.
It was not exactly a vintage display from Newcastle and Gary Neville was surprised by the Dutchman’s view of it.
Gary Neville shocked as Ruud Gullit makes Newcastle United claim
Gullit, who managed the Toon between 1998 and 1999, was the latest guest on Neville’s podcast called ‘The Overlap’.
A remarkable player during his earlier career, Gullit was then quizzed on his managerial job at Newcastle, which did not really go to plan.
During the discussion, he claims Newcastle actually played well in the 1999 FA Cup final, during which Neville played for Manchester United.
The pundit was surprised by Gullit’s view that Newcastle performed.
“I was hired there to play the same way as Chelsea, the same style but it was difficult,” he said.
“That was really difficult but I enjoyed it. Eventually we got to the final with you guys. You know what the worst thing is – in my perception – we really played really, really well.”
A shocked Neville then asks: “Do you think so, Ruud?”
The Dutchman replied: “Yes, you think about your possibilities and what you had. The only thing is, you had five players who could score a goal.”
Why Alan Shearer was furious after 1999 FA Cup final
The club finally got to celebrate winning a trophy back in March.
Newcastle’s Carabao Cup celebrations will live long in the memory, and the hope is the next trophy parade is not too far down the line.
Interestingly, the club did something similar despite losing the ‘98 and ‘99 FA Cup finals.
Alan Shearer said he was embarrassed by the Newcastle bus parades, conceding the side “didn’t put up much of a fight” in the game Gullit was talking about.
Luckily, that trend is over now. Newcastle had actual reason to celebrate in March. Hopefully, they will have some in the near future.
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